Portable structure



June 12,1923. 1,458,866

C.H:WETZEL PORTABLE S TRUCTURE Filed July 28. 1921 6 e ts-Sheet l :0

C. H. WETZEL June 12, 1923.

PORTABLE STRUCTURE 2 QN o NN t V H MW. U mm ,9 QMQQM w t 0 MW my 0\ 6 8w o w 2 y l u J d m Q Q i M Q Q rLbQ wS N Q June 12, 1923. 1,458,866

C. H. WETZEL PORTABLE STRUCTURE F'l d J 1 /235m 7 l u y 28. 1921 6Sheets /21e?% 0 9 70 4 l I w I 5 I 55 /6 E /4 d I i 24 7 2/ 49 K 21 /5 55 24 i 2 Q I 1M4 l I I i I I I I l I I I l I I 22 I l I l I 1 Q2 I I 2 oQ4 24 2/ 7 1,458,866 c. H. WETZEL June 12, 1923.

'6 Sheets-Sheet 4 l 9 Jun 12, 1923.

C. H. WETZEL PORTABLE STRUCTURE Filed July 28. 1921' 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Wm W W m N I Q I Q B i K Q .6 Q w m\ m June 12, 1923.

c. H; WETZEL PORTABLE STRUCTURE Filed Jul 28 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 M i 1 W omm V 9: 2

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UNITED STA CHARLES H. WETZEL, ,OF WAYNE, PENNSYLVANIA.

PORTABLE STRUCTURE.

Application filed July 28, 1921.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES H. WETZEL, a citizen of the United States,residing in Wayne, Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements inPortable Structures, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a portable and easily handledstructural unit which in conjunction with similar units is adapted toform unified structures assemblable without bolts or other of thecommonly employed securing elements, said unit possessing the novelfeatures of construction hereinafter fully described and illustrated inthe attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1, is a sectional elevation of a grandstand constructed of unitsmade in accordance with my invention;

Fi 2, is a rear elevation of the grandstan Fig. 3, is a plan view of oneof the units of my structure including the flange pieces;

Fig. 4, is a section on the line 4-4, Fig. 3, with a fragment of asuperimposed unit visible;

Fig. 5, is a fragmentary enlarged perspective illustrating the means foruniting the units to form the unified structure;

Fig. 6, is a fragmentary plan view of one of the flange pieces;

Fig. 7 is a transverse section on the line 7-7, Fig. 6;

Fig. 8, is a plan view of one of the double 'or bridge units;

Fig. 9, is a section on the line 99, Fig. 8, illustrating thedisposition of the double or bridge unit in the structure and the methodof uniting the ends of the uprights;

Fig. 10, is a fragmentary section on the line 10-10, Fig. 8,illustrating details in the construction of the bridge unit;

Fig. 11, is an enlarged fragmentary and detached perspective of theadjoining portions at the front of the bridge unit and the underlyingunit illustrating the locking means at that point of the structure;

Fig. 12, is a plan view of one of the single units folded; r

Fig. 13, is a plan view of one of thebridge units folded;

Fig. 14, is a sectional elevation of a modi fied structure constructedof units made in accordance with the invention;

Serial 1T0. 488,162.

Fig. 15, is a plan view of the modified structure, and

Fig. 16, is a perspective view of a detail of the modified structure.

With reference to the drawings, the unit in one of its forms isdesignated in the drawings by the reference numeral 1, and comprisesfour uprights 3, connected together by horizontal cross bars 4 extendingbetween the tops of the uprights and by diagonal cross bars 5 secured tothe top of one upright and the foot of another.

The uprights 3 are made of angle iron, and each upright has secured toone leg of the angle by rivets 19 one section 12 of a hinge 13. To theother section 14 of this hinge is secured by rivets 15 the cross bars 4and 5 constituting the respective sets thereof which bind the uprightstogether. The opposite ends of the cross bars 4 and 5 of the respectivesets are secured by rivets 16 to the opposite leg of the adjacentupright. In this way there extends between each pair of adjacentuprights one set of the cross bars 4 and 5 which are hinged at one endto one of the uprights and rigidly secured at the other end to anadjacent upright. This construction, as shownin Fig. 12, permits foldingthe section substantially flat from its normal rectangular form, therebymaterially increasing the portability I and facilitating the handling. 7

The units 1 arev subject to various modifications to suit therequirementsof the particular structure. Such ,a. modification I haveillustrated in Figures 8, 9, 10 and 13. This unit, 'designated inthedrawings by the reference numeral 2, consists of the 7 previouslydescribed unitl, to which is added an extension 2 on one side. In thisunit, the uprights corresponding to the uprights 3 of the previouslydescribed section lare designated by the reference numeral6, while theextension consists of'a pair of uprights 9, in the present instanceapproximately half the height of the uprights 6, and connected togetherand to two of the latter uprights by means of horizontal cross bars 10and diagonal cross bars 11. The uprights 6 are connected together byhorizontal and diagonal cross bars, 7 and 8 respectively, in exactly thesame manner as are the uprights 3 of the section 1, while the cross bars10 and 11 are, after the fashion of the previously described cross bars4 and 5, rigidly secured at one end to one of the connected uprights andat their opposite ends are hinged to the other of the connecteduprights, The particular sets of the cross bars 10 and 11 which unitethe uprights 9 with the uprights 6 are at one side of the unit rigidlyconnected to one of the uprights 6' b rivets 16 which pass through thebent en 3 of one of the legs of each bar, while at the other side thesaid cross bars are attached to one section 14 of a hinge 13 whose othersection 12 is secured by rivets 19 to one leg of a short section ofangle bar 6, the other leg of which is secured by rivets 19 to a leg ofthe other upright 6. As shown in Figure 13, the units 2 are .foldable inthe same manner as the units 1. v

The units are adapted to .be arranged end to end in substantiallyvertical alignment to form the desired structure, and for the purposesof illustration I show in the present instance a grandstand for theformation of which the units of 1 and 2 are adapted. As shown in Figures1 and 2, these units are superimposed one upon another to form a seriesof aced tower structures represented respectively by the referenceletters A, B and C, with the extensions 2 bridging the space between andconnecting the said towers. In superimposing the units, the respectiveuprights are disposed end to end in longitudinal and substantialvertical alignment with their adjacent ends flush, and suitable means tobe described hereinafter is provided at the ends of the uprights toprevent lateral displacement and to retain the units in their properrelative position. It will be noted that the ,extensions 2 are, in thepresent instance, substantially half the height of the units 2 of whichthey are a part and of the units 1, and that accordingly when the unitsare assembled in the structure the ste s formed are liey would be werethe extensions the same height as the units 1 and 2. By making theextensions but half the height of the sections 1, a material saving isaccomplished and a more gradual slope formed in the stand than would bethe case were the extensions of the same height as the units 1 and 2,since in the latter case in order to construct a stepped structure ofthe type shown in which the steps are of uniform height and width, itwould be necessary to add to the top of each of the bridge units anadditional single unit 1.

, As clearly illustrated, the horizontal cross bars 4, 7 and 10, areadapted to support planks 01'' boards 30 which constitute the floors ofthe structure, and spaced downward projections 30 are provided on theunder side of the planks which are adapt said underlying units.

meaeae ed to prevent longitudinal movement of the boards on thestructure, and which further function to retain the respective sets ofgraduated tower structures properly spaced with respect to each other.

, The lower end of each of the dia onal" said uprights are retained intheir su stantially vertical alignment, and lateral displacement of theunits with respect to each other prevented.

To provide for the passage of the extension 5*, the inner ends of theupper legs of the horizontal bars 4 are stopped short of the opposed legof the uprights to which they are rigidly attached, thereby forming anopening L7 through which the extension passes, there being formed inthis way apocket for the reception of the extension between the end ofthe cross bars 4 and the opposed leg of the upright. being secured tothetops of the uprig ts at the points where the extensions 5 are disposedwhen the units are assembled, a portion of the extension 5 is cut awayto form a recess 18, which is occupied by the head of the rivets orbolts 19 which secure the said hinges to the uprights. It willaccordingly be seen that the extensions 5 when once in place areprevented from moving in any direction; in two of them by the legs of twhich the said extension is disposed, and in the other two directionsrespectively by the said rivet head 19 and the ends of the cross bars 4.This unifying effect being had at each joint between the contiguous endsof uprights, a singularly rigid and unified structure is obtained whichresists all normal stresses regardless of the direction in which theyare applied to the structure.

In the units 2, the construction of the lower ends of the diagonal crosbars 8 is in every way similar to that of the'cross bars 5 previouslydescribed, and the same is true 'of the diagonal cross bars 11 of theextensions 2 the extensions of the said diagonal cross bars 11 enteringthe pocket formed therefor in the top ofthe uprights 3 or 6 of theunderlying units, s shown 'in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, which illustrate thejoints between the forward end of the bridge unit and the Since theunits 1 are uniform in construction and standardized, it becomesnecessary The hin es 13 e uprights in the angle between by means of bars22, the ends of whic extend through suitable openings 23 in the sides ofthe elevated portions of the pieces, and are secured to said plates bymeans of bolts or rivets 24, said connecting bars 22 being suflicientlylong to extend between diagonally opposite uprights of the base unitswhen the projections 5 associated with said uprights occupy theapertures 21. As shown in Fig. 2, the retaining elements formed by theconnected pairs of flange pieces and their connecting bars are disposedbetween each diagonally opposite pair of uprights in the base unitswhereby the units are retained rigidly in the open position, and allfolding action prevented.

In Fi illustrated a modified form of stand in which the units 1 aloneare employed, this structure consisting of a lurality of independenttower structures built u of the units 1, over which supporting p anks orboards 25 are laid to form a fiat elevated platform. In this structure,the towers, which are in line transversely of the direction of the saidboards, are joined together by means of elements 26, consisting of a lenh of angle iron having attached at eac end by rivets 28, hook-likeelements 29 and 31, which are adapted res ectively to hook over adjacentsides of t e tower structures, one of the hooked elements at one endbeing relatively short and bein adapted to fit into one of the socketsforme for the reception of the lips 5 at the bottoms of the uprights ofa superimposed unit, and the other hooked end being sufiicientl long topass entirely over the horizontal eg of the cross bar 4 of the adjacenttop unit. The usual spacing elements 30 are provided on the under sideof the planks to prevent longitudinal movement thereof and to assist inretainin the tower structures together.

It will be apparent that this type of unit,

. either in the form illustrated or modifiedto suit the variousconditions and requirements of the particular structure desired, may beemployed in making structures other than those herein illustrated, as,for example, scaifoldings and other temporary stands.

By forming my unit of angle iron, I not only have taken advantage of theli htness and strength of this material, but have gs. 14 to 16, bothinclusive, I have been able by its adaptation to eliminate all castfittin s of one sort or another, and have reduced the structure to aminimum of material and cost of production.

It will be understood, however, that while I prefer to use angle iron,other somewhat similar forms may be employed with no departure from theessential features of the invention.

I claim:

1. A structural unit comprising a plurality of uprights and adapted forend to end attachment to like units with the uprights of one unit insubstantially vertical alignment with those of another, and cross barsconnecting said uprights and extending beyond the ends thereof tooverlap the joints where the aligned uprights meet, thereby to preventdisplacement of the units with re-.

spect to' each other.

2. A structural unit comprising a plurality of uprights and adapted forend to end attachment to like units with the uprights of one unit insubstantially vertical allgnment with those of another, and horizontaland diagonal cross bars connecting the uprights, the diagonal cross barsextending beyond the bottom endsof the uprights and being adapted toenter a space between the uprights and the ends of the'horizontal crossbars of an underlying unit, thereby to prevent lateral displacement ofthe units with respect to each other.

3. A structural unit comprising a plurality of uprights, a hinge at thetop of each upright, horizontal cross bars having one end thereofattached to the hinges and the other end attached to an adjacent upriht, diagonal cross bars having one end attac ed to the said hin es andthe other end attached to the adjacent upright, said units ada ted to besuperimposed upon like units with the uprights of one unit insubstantially vertical alignment with those of, the other, and means forpreventing lateral dis placement of the abutting ends of said uprightswith respect to each other.

4. A structural unit comprising a plurality ofuprights each having ahinge secured at the top thereof, and a pair of cross bars each havingone end secured to the hinge and the opposite end secured respectivelyat top and bottom of another of the uprights wherebythe said uprightsare secured together to form an independent foldable structure.

5. A structural unit comprising a plurality of angle iron uprights eachhaving se- I rality of uprights each having at the top thereof a bin e,a pair of cross bars extending from eac hinge to top and bottomrespectively of another of the uprights, with the ends of the cross barswhich are secured to the bottoms of said uprights projecting beyond thebottom ends of the uprights, substantially for the purpose set forth.

7. A structural unit 1 comprising a plurality of uprights connected bymeans of cross bars extending between the tops of adjacent pairs thereofand by cross bars one end of which is attached to the bottoms of therespective uprights, the ends of said latter cross bars projectingdownward y beyond the bottom edges of the uprights to which they areattached and being adapted to enter a space between the uprights and theends of the top cross bars of a. like unit upon which the said firstunit is superimposed, with the uprights of the units in substantiallyvertical alignment, whereby lateral displacement of the units withrespect to each other is prevented. a

8. In a portable structure, a pluraity of independent units eachcomprising a plurality of uprights connected together by cross bars andadapted to be superimposed one upon another with the said uprights endto end substantially in vertical alignment, the said cross bars beingconnected to each of the uprights at an end thereof and projectingbeyond the said end to overlap the joints between the adjoining uprightsto prevent lateral displacement of the uprights with respect to eachother.

9. In a portable structure, a plurality of independent units eachcomprising a plurality of uprights connected by means of aeaeee crossbars extending between the tops of the adjacent pairs thereof and bydiagonal cross bars, one end of which is attached to the tops and theother end to the bottoms of the respective uprights, the ends of saiddiagonal cross bars projecting downwardly beyond the bottom edges of theuprights to which they are attached, and said projecting ends beingadapted to enter a space between the uprights and the ends of the topcross bars of the underlying sections, thereby to prevent lateraldisplacement of the units with respect to each other.

10. In a portable structure, a plurality of independent units eachcomprising a plurality of uprights in the form of ange irons with crossbars'secured to the legs of said angle bars and extending therebetween,

said units being adapted to be superimposed one upon another with thesaid uprights disof spaced tower structures, certain of said unitscomprising an extension adapted to bridge the space between said towers,said extensions being less in height than the height of the units towhich they are attached, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

CHARLES H. WETZEL.

